British soldiers and Republican Guards arrive at the Elysee Palace, Monday, April 8, 2024 in Paris. Sixteen soldiers from No 7 Company Coldstream Guards and 32 members of the Gendarmerie Garde Republicaine mount guard at the Elysee palace as British troops join French guards in a special ceremony at the Elysee Palace to celebrate 120 years of "entente cordiale" between the longtime rival powers. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, Pool)
British soldiers and Republican Guards arrive at the Elysee Palace, Monday, April 8, 2024 in Paris. Sixteen soldiers from No 7 Company Coldstream Guards and 32 members of the Gendarmerie Garde Republicaine mount guard at the Elysee palace as British troops join French guards in a special ceremony at the Elysee Palace to celebrate 120 years of "entente cordiale" between the longtime rival powers. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, Pool)
LONDON (AP) — French troops joined their British counterparts in the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace for the first time Monday, marching together in a display of solidarity between Britain and France amid the war in Ukraine.
The twin events were to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale, the 1904 diplomatic agreement between Britain and France that paved the way for their collaboration in both World War I and World War II.
In a video message posted on social media on Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron said the alliance serves as a foundation for deepening Anglo-French relations particularly at a time of the return of war.
“Our Entente Cordiale remains as relevant as ever,†Macron said. “Faced with the resurgence of war in Europe, we stand together to defend the values we share and to support Ukraine as it defends itself against its aggressor.â€
“It is not for France and Britain alone to solve these challenges. But, together, we can rally others to join us in overcoming them,†they wrote. "We must do even more to ensure we defeat Russia. The world is watching – and will judge us if we fail.â€
It was the first time a country that isn't part of the Commonwealth group of nations has taken part in the traditional Changing of the Guard ceremony, though the French troops did not participate in guarding the royal residence — a ceremonial duty that can only be performed by U.K. or Commonwealth troops.
In Paris, 16 members of the Coldstream Guards were the first foreign troops ever to take part in guarding the French presidential residence.
Britain and France said Monday's ceremonies were part of a wider program this year to celebrate the two countries' historic military and diplomatic ties. This includes in June to commemorate the service of Allied veterans who fought to liberate France from Nazi occupation.
Last year, King Charles chose France as the destination for his first foreign visit after becoming monarch. The , which was planned for March but was postponed to September amid large demonstrations in France, was a statement underlining the ties between the two countries.
___
Associated Press writer Barbara Surk in Nice contributed to this report.
